Making Japanese Windsocks for Children’s Day

Grade 8 art students had a fun time this week constructing Japanese windsocks!

In Japan, it is a tradition that “Koinobori”, carp windsocks decorate the landscape of Japan from April through to May, in honour of Children’s Day, which was on May 5.

In Japanese culture, the carp fish symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim up waterfalls and streams. Children’s Day is an event, expressing hope that each child will grow up healthy and strong like a wild carp. During the Children’s Day festival in Japan, families set up a warrior doll or Ō-yoroi armor in the house, and Koinobori, huge carp-shaped windsocks, outside the house to honour their children.